Holster

ABSTRACT

A holster for a handgun having a top portion including a slide that can be attracted by a magnet. The holster includes a holster body that does not lock a handgun therein, having side walls and a top wall together at least partially defining a chamber in the holster for receiving the handgun in a position with the handgun slide adjacent to the top wall of the holster. A handgun locking device on the holster body top wall is engageable with the handgun slide to secure the handgun in a locked position in the holster body. At least one magnet on the holster body is located in a position for magnetically attracting a ferrous portion of the handgun thereby to urge the handgun slide into engagement with the locking device to secure the handgun in a locked position in the holster.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a holster for a handgun. A holster must be large enough to accommodate a gun for holstering and drawing, but small enough to minimize rattling or movement when the gun is holstered. Many holsters are made from molded plastic, which can change geometry (as-molded shape) over time. This action usually contracts the holster. If a holster is manufactured to be snug enough to secure the handgun initially with a tight interface, then over time the contraction of the material would cause the holster to cinch up around the weapon, creating a tight draw. Thus, makers often oversize the holster design, which can lead to rattling of the weapon in the holster. Nominal clearance is typically ten one-thousandths of an inch on each side of the weapon.

Another issue related to holster size is that one holster body is often used for multiple different weapons, lights and optics. Many holsters need to be able to accommodate a gun that has a light attached, and it is desirable that the same holster be able to properly accommodate that same gun when the light is not attached. As a result, the holster body needs to be designed for the physically largest combination that could be used.

This requirement can be problematic if the holster includes a top wall retention feature for securing the gun in the holster against unintentional withdrawal. For example, the automatic locking system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,860 locks onto the ejection port of the slide of a semiautomatic handgun. The slide is located on the top of the weapon. In such a case, the weapon needs to be held firmly up against the top wall of the holster to make the retention feature effective, that is, for securing the gun in a locked position in the holster against unintentional or unintended withdrawal, for example, by someone who is not wearing the holster. Securing the handgun means more than simply having it fit closely in the holster so as not to fall out during ordinary usage, for example. Rather, the handgun is positively locked in the holster, and cannot be removed unless there is a separate intentional action by the user. The automatic locking mechanism is the primary means of securing the handgun in the holster.

Often a holster includes a tensioner on the bottom wall that is designed to engage the weapon and urge it upward into engagement with the locking system. If the tensioner is designed to work in conjunction with a weapon having a light, then the tensioner may not work well if the weapon being holstered does not have a light, as there may be no direct engagement between the tensioner and the weapon.

The prior art discloses the use of magnets in holsters, as the primary means of securing the handgun in the holster. Examples include Miller US Patent Publication No. 2014/0224847; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,172,395, 11,035,645, and 11,000,113.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A holster incorporates one or more magnets that attract ferrous portions of the gun thereby to secure the gun in a desired position in the holster. As one example, one or more magnets are positioned to hold the gun firmly up against the top wall of the holster, thus ensuring the functioning of an automatic locking system as described above.

This can be even more useful when the holster has a spring tensioner system designed to work with a light on the weapon, and no light is used. The magnet holds the slide of the weapon in position in this situation, to enable securing the weapon in the holster.

In one embodiment, a holster for a handgun having a top portion includes a slide (and also possibly a barrel) that can be attracted by a magnet. The holster includes a holster body that does not lock a handgun therein, having side walls and a top wall together at least partially defining a chamber in the holster for receiving the handgun in a position with the handgun slide adjacent to the top wall of the holster. A handgun locking device on the holster body top wall is engageable with the handgun slide to secure the handgun in a locked position in the holster body. At least one magnet on the holster body is located in a position for magnetically attracting the handgun slide and/or barrel thereby to urge the handgun slide into engagement with the locking device to secure the handgun in a locked position in the holster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains when reading the following description of embodiments of the invention together with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a body side perspective view of a holster that is a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with one half of the holster body removed and showing a holstered handgun that does not have a light attached, and also showing a holster tensioner, and showing the placement of a single magnet above the location of the handgun slide;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the same handgun but with a light attached, the light being engaged by the tensioner;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a locking system in engagement with the ejection port of the handgun slide;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway perspective view of a portion of the holster of FIG. 3 showing the magnet location;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment showing the placement of two magnets, laterally across from each other, above the location of the handgun slide;

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment showing the placement of two magnets above the location of the handgun slide, at separate locations forward and rearward along the handgun slide;

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment showing the placement of two magnets at opposite sides of the handgun slide; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment showing the placement of one magnet on the holster body end wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a holster for a weapon such as a handgun. The invention is applicable to holsters of varying configurations. As representative of the invention, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a handgun holster 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention. The holster 10 is adapted to receive a handgun assembly 12. The handgun assembly 12 includes a handgun 14. The illustrated handgun 14 is a semiautomatic handgun having a slide 16 (FIG. 2 ) with an ejection port 18. At least the slide 16, and possibly more of the handgun 14 such as the barrel, is ferrous and thus can be attracted by a magnetic force.

The handgun assembly 12 that is illustrated also includes an optional removable light 20 (FIG. 3 ) that is mounted on the handgun 14 below the handgun barrel. Some handgun assemblies usable with the holster 10 would not include a light 20 mounted below the muzzle, but could include only the weapon itself. The light 20 extends down from the handgun barrel, at a location forward of and below the handgun trigger guard.

The holster 10 (FIG. 1 ) includes a holster body 30 that defines a chamber 32 for receiving the handgun 14. The holster 10 has an entranceway or opening 34 into the chamber 32 for allowing insertion of the handgun 14 into the holster. The holster body 30 has a partial bottom wall 36 and a top wall 38. (The terms “top” and “bottom” are used herein to indicate the orientation and positioning of the holster in space when it is in one particular orientation, for example, as viewed in the drawings. The terms top and bottom are not intended to be limiting herein, including in the claims. Thus, when the holster is being worn, the top wall 38 will likely be forward, and the entranceway 34 uppermost, as one example.)

The holster 10 includes a retention feature for securing the handgun 14 in a locked position in the holster against unintentional or unintended withdrawal, for example, by someone who is not wearing the holster. Securing the handgun 14 means more than simply having it fit closely in the holster body 30 so as not to fall out during ordinary usage, for example. Rather, securing means that the handgun 14 is positively locked in the holster 10, and cannot be removed unless there is a separate intentional action by the user other than withdrawing the handgun assembly 12,

The holster body 30, itself, does not thus secure the handgun assembly 12 in the holster 10. Therefore, the holster 10 includes the retention feature as indicated at 40 in the Figures, on the top wall 38 of the holster body 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention feature 40 is an automatic locking system of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,860, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The locking assembly (securing system) locks onto the ejection port 18 of the slide 16 of the handgun 14 and thus secures the handgun in the holster 10. This is the primary (and in this case only) means of securing the handgun 14 in the holster 10. Other types of retention features are usable, of course.

The illustrated locking system 40 includes a lever member 42 that is operable by the thumb of the user, when the handgun 14 is holstered, to move between a locked position in which a portion 44 of the lever member engages in the ejection port 18 of the handgun to secure the handgun in the holster 10, and a release position, in which the lever member portion 44 is out of the ejection port and the handgun can be drawn from the holster. The locking system 40 is the primary means of securing the handgun in the holster against unintended withdrawal, and is not itself dependent on the use of any magnetic force.

In order for the locking system 40 to function properly, the handgun 14 needs to be adjacent to or urged upward toward the top wall 38 of the holster body 30, so that the ejection port 18 is accessed and engaged by the lever member portion 44. To that end, the holster 10 also includes a tensioner 50 on the bottom wall 36 of the holster body 30. The selected tensioner 50 may be any one of numerous known or new tensioner configurations. tensioner particular tensioner 50 that is illustrated includes a spring member that is positioned and configured to engage the bottom of the light 20, when the light 20 is on the handgun 14, and thereby urge the handgun upward toward the holster top wall 38 to enable engagement of the locking system 40.

As noted above, the light 20 is optional and is removable from the handgun assembly 14. When the handgun 14 does not have a light 20 attached and is holstered, the tensioner 50 is not able to urge the handgun upward toward the holster top wall 38, because there is no direct physical engagement between the tensioner and the handgun. The tensioner 50 is not tall enough to reach the handgun 14 itself, if the light 20 is not present.

To assist in holding the handgun 14 in the desired position in the chamber 32 of the holster body 30, to enable securing of the handgun in the holster 10 via the locking mechanism 40, the holster includes one or more magnets. The magnets are selectively positioned on the holster body 30 during manufacture of the holster 10, to best effectuate the needed handgun positioning. A plurality of different magnet positions (locations) are feasible, as described below with respect to the various embodiments.

As one example, FIGS. 1-4 show the use of one magnet 60 above the slide 16 or barrel. During manufacture of the holster 10, the magnet 60 is inserted from the side of the holster side wall into its position above the holster chamber 32. When a handgun 14 with a ferrous slide 16 is holstered, the magnet 60 magnetically attracts the slide 16, thereby to urge the handgun slide into a position where it can engage the portion 44 of the locking lever 42 of the locking system 40, to secure the handgun in a locked position in the holster 10. (The illustrated locations of the magnets herein are only schematic and illustrative, as the magnets are shown “floating” for purposes of illustration only and are in reality secured to a wall portion of the holster body 30.)

This magnet positioning is effective when there is a light 20 on the handgun 14 and the tensioner 50 is operative as described above. As noted, when the handgun assembly 12 that is being holstered does not include the light 20, the tensioner 50 will not be operative to help position the handgun 14 upward into engagement with the locking member 42 of the retention system 40. But the magnet 60 can still perform that function, to effect the locking as desired. This enables the handgun 14 to be secured in the holster 10.

The strength of any magnet that is used in the holster is selected to be sufficient to hold the slide 16 of the weapon up against the ALS system. One magnet that has been found to be suitable in one embodiment is a neodymium magnet with dimensions of about 0.250″×0.375″×0.750″, and having a pull force of about 18 pounds.

As another example, FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment showing the placement of two magnets 62 and 64, laterally across from each other above the location of the handgun slide 16. The two magnets 62 and 64 provide a magnetic attraction that acts on the ferrous upper portion 16 of the handgun 14 to position and maintain the handgun in operative engagement with the ALS system 40 to secure the handgun in a locked position in the holster 10. As another example, FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment showing the placement of two magnets 66 and 68, laterally across from each other, but on opposite sides of the handgun slide 16 rather than above the slide.

As another example, FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment showing the placement of two magnets 70 and 72 above the location of the handgun slide 16, at separate locations forward and rearward along the handgun slide. As another example, FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment showing the placement of one magnet 74 on the holster body end wall 76, which can be used when the barrel (including the muzzle) is made from a ferrous material. The magnet 74 is in front of the muzzle of the handgun 14, on the holster end wall 76 adjacent to the muzzle. The magnet 74 lifts the handgun muzzle upward, thereby to urge the handgun slide 16 into engagement with the locking device 44 to secure the handgun 14 in a locked position in the holster 10.

During manufacture, each magnet is installed in a pocket on a wall of the holster body 30. If possible, a magnet can be installed from the inside (from the chamber 32), without leaving an indication on the exterior wall surface, to provide for a cleaner visual appearance of the exterior of the holster body 30. But this may not be possible due to manufacturing constraints. Specifically, depending on how a particular holster 10 is manufactured, any magnets used may need to be placed from the outside, through a window or cutout in the exterior of the holster wall, rather than building them in or placing them from the inside.

The manufacturer can choose to place the magnet pocket on the inner side wall of the holster 10 (the body side), which is normally concealed when the holster is being worn, rather than on the visible side (the face side) which faces outwardly when the holster is being worn. The magnet would be inserted into a pocket in the holster inner side wall, with a removable lid or tab covering the magnet when it is placed. This configuration is shown in FIG. 1 at 80.

It is preferred (but not necessary) to enclose the magnets themselves in plastic, so that no foreign material like iron filings is attracted. There is no issue as to placements of plural magnets relative to each other, as the plastic material of the holster between them dissipates the flux sufficiently.

An added benefit of the magnets is that they force the handgun into a specific alignment when it is being holstered and drawn. This improved alignment also aids with crooked draws and reholstering actions, greatly reducing the chance of hang-ups. The magnetic attraction also allows for a very stable positioning of the handgun in the holster as well as the elimination of rattle.

From the above description, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications in the invention. For example, magnets can be placed at more than one of the locations shown in the various embodiments, in any given holster; thus, a holster might include magnets both on the sides and on the top, as well as on the end wall. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims. 

1. A holster for a handgun with a slide and having a top portion including a ferrous portion that can be attracted by a magnet, the holster comprising: a holster body that does not secure the handgun therein, the holster body having side walls and a top wall together at least partially defining a chamber in the holster for receiving the handgun in a position with the handgun ferrous portion adjacent to the top wall of the holster; a handgun locking device on the holster body top wall that is engageable with the handgun slide to secure the handgun in a locked position in the holster body; and at least one magnet on the holster body located in a position for magnetically attracting the handgun ferrous portion thereby to urge the handgun slide into engagement with the locking device to secure the handgun in a locked position in the holster.
 2. A holster as set forth in claim 1 further including a tensioner on the holster body opposite the holster top wall for urging the handgun slide into engagement with the locking device to assist in securing the handgun in a locked position in the holster body.
 3. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dimensions of the holster chamber are selected to enable the holster chamber to receive the handgun with a light mounted below the barrel of the handgun; the tensioner being engageable by the light to support the handgun in the holster body in a position in engagement with the locking device; and wherein the magnet has a magnetic attraction force that is sufficient to hold the handgun slid in operative engagement with the handgun locking system when the tensioner does not engage the light.
 4. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one magnet comprises a single magnet that is located on the holster body above the handgun slide when the handgun is in the holster.
 5. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one magnet comprises two magnets that are laterally across from each other, above the location of the handgun ferrous portion.
 6. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one magnet comprises two magnets that are spaced apart from each other along the length of the top wall of the holster, above the location of the handgun ferrous portion.
 7. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one magnet comprises two magnets that are laterally across from each other, on opposite sides of the handgun ferrous portion.
 8. A holster as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one magnet is located on the holster body end wall adjacent to the muzzle of the handgun when the handgun is in the holster.
 9. A holster as set forth in claim 1 for a handgun that optionally includes a light attached to the handgun below the handgun barrel, the holster including a tensioner opposite the top wall, the tensioner being positioned in the holster to engage the light to exert an upwardly directed force on the light and thereby the handgun when the handgun with the light is in the chamber; and the tensioner being spaced apart from a handgun when the handgun is in the chamber without a light attached, and thereby not exerting any upward directed force on the handgun.
 10. A holster for a handgun having a slide and having a ferrous portion, comprising: a holster body, the holster body comprising a plurality of walls including a top wall and side walls; the holster including a locking system that is the primary means of securing the handgun in the holster against unintended withdrawal, the locking system not locking by the use of magnetic force; and at least one magnet on the holster body, operatively separate from the securing system, for attracting the handgun into a selected position in the holster.
 11. A holster as set forth in claim 10 wherein the at least one magnet is positioned on the holster to attract the ferrous portion of the handgun and thus move the handgun slide into physical engagement with the locking system. 